This and That 4/18/15.

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Redfishlaw

Fish Catching Travel

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The best baits in the world, but not to much help with the turkeys.

When I posted a note about seeing the turkey in full strut on the way to POC the other day I got this eloquent note from Evan.

Pass the salt please! I’d like to say I’m missing out, but at the moment I don’t care.

These Kansas gobblers have me on a chase. Yesterday was opening day (shotgun). I was running behind and we finally made it to “the farm” at lunch. I got after it yesterday afternoon after a short nap (priorities). Walking to our spot we flushed up a few. Dangit. We tried to get around them and cut them off and in the rush flushed up a few different birds. So we settled in a spot and tried calling just to see if we could entice any back. The wind had picked up and 30 yards upwind my hunting buddies couldn’t even hear me calling. I was hungry anyway so we headed back to the house.

If it’s deer, I’m up early – ducks, up all night – turkey, sleep in, eat breakfast and enjoy my coffee. So that’s what we did. Left the house around 7:30, took off on the 4-wheeler and went blindly into the fog and low cloud cover. My crow calling revealed 3 groups gobbling within 200 yards in each direction. We went to the closest spot and set up a hen decoy. The gobbling/calling cadence went on for 15 mins and then they shut up. Another 15 minutes until we heard anything and it had moved much further away. We decided to go for a walk and try and ‘neak up on any. There was a decent creek between us and a wheat field. I heard a gobble but we couldn’t cross. I had left my box call and decoy where we first set up. Since there weren’t many options, and they were headed our way, we stood behind some thick cedar and pointed the barrels thru a hole in the tree and I began calling. (I had picked up a brand new mouth call that wasn’t quite broke in yet.) I turned around every time I called. Well it worked. Two Kansas toms popped up over the terrace and stood on the other side of the creek looking for that seductive hen. BOOM! My first Kansas turkey in 5 years. It feels awesome.

So I’m just sitting around, reading your blog waiting to leave for my afternoon hunt. I’m sure there will be nap to be had after lunch.

I’ll start thinking about the salt again, next week. For now – GOBBLE GOBBLE!!

I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading. Can’t wait to read about the Everglades!

Congrats on the turkey.  I have a friend who hunts them quite a bit and he says they are always best after April 1 no matter when the season opens.  In my case I have never given it a go.  I need another outdoor hobby like I need another hole in my head, I hear it can be that addicting.   And as I have said about Evan before, he should write more of this stuff.  We will all be looking forward to your report on your POC trip as soon as you make it down this way.  And the rest of you don’t be shy, send us your comments and stories, we love to hear them.

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With the major tournament of the summer right around the corner I heard my second horror story from someone who went to the polygraph.  They did everything they could to intimidate him, and basically treated him like he was a criminal.  It turned into them saying he was lying, and of course it went downhill from there.  In the end he got his boat, thanks to multiple witnesses.  I have had one other person tell me the almost exact same story, and neither of these guys knows each other.

I have to assume that these are isolated incidents. Having a little experience with polygraphs, my clients took lots over the years, there is a reason they are not admissible in court.  And I have always wondered about the clause you see on every entry form which you sign that says the decision of the judges/officials is final.  I have always thought that was ridiculous.  So they decide they don’t like your face and so you don’t win?  Not sure that a blanket exclusion like that would hold up if you have a legitimate gripe.  We all enter in good faith and expect to be treated as members in good standing if we get lucky enough to catch a money fish, not as some kind of cheater.

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I got a text from the Shoedog a little while ago and apparently a picture of us wading with our buddy Chris accompanies Kevin Cochran’s article in the Texas Saltwater Magazine’s April issue.  Apparently it is on pages 18 – 19.  I have not seen it yet, but this is the second time Chris has made the magazine.  His last appearance was a 2 page picture holding the sailfish we billed on North Padre Island while we were shark fishing.

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As I have told you in the past we just love our Wade Right wading belt from Coastal Fishing Gear.  Shoedog and I have had ours for several years and they have far outlasted our prior belts, which seemed to dry rot, lasting only a couple of years.  Then the Shoedog lost the male end of his waist buckle so he gave them a call, and one is in the mail.  I met them at the Houston Fishing Show a couple of times and not only is this a good product, but they are good folks.  And this just confirms what I already know.  So next time you are in the market for a new wading belt give them a look, you will not be disappointed.

http://www.coastalfishinggear.com/osfm_wade_right.php

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With storms and rain in the forecast for the weekend the lovely wife and I hit the road for some indoor entertainment.   So we were not home last night for the wild weather that apparently went through Victoria.  Hope you all are fine and not to flooded out.

On our way out of town we did a little detour around the coast.  It accomplished a couple of things.  First was to stop in and eat at Peggy’s on the Bayou in Bridge City, Texas.  We had heard the food was good but it was a dive.  It was half right.  The food was dandy, and the place was not only clean, but far from a dive.  It is the kind of place that is slowly disappearing across those cool coastal towns all over the country.  The owners were great and we really enjoyed the service and chatting with them.

The other reason is I really want to fish the area and it looks like a good jumping off point for the Sabine.  So on the way home we will go by the area again and check out places to stay.  Not only is it known for the fantastic trout and red fishing, you can also head back up the river and catch bass.  Would I be in heaven or what?

http://www.peggysonthebayoucajuncafe.com/

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I will be home tomorrow and back on the water somewhere on Monday.  The big reason for Monday fishing is to keep me from going nuts.  I am having visions of tarpon exploding on topwaters, snook making gill rattling jumps, and sea trout over 20″ on Rabbit Key.  Funny how when the planning originally starts for a big trip like this one it seems so far away, and here it is, leaving in 4 days.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

About Redfishlaw

I am a retired attorney who just loves to fish. I was a freshwater guide for about 20 years and now have moved to the salt. I am not the greatest fisherman, but I am committed. So if you love fishing, and want to learn what little I have to offer, stop by anytime.
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